Exercise in early twenties may lower risk of osteoporosis

28th March 2012

Physical exercise in the early twenties improves bone development and may reduce the risk of fractures later in life, according to a study of more than 800 Swedish men (Nilsson M, Ohlsson C, Oden A, et al.)
While previous research has shown that exercise before and during puberty is important for bone development, the current findings indicate exercise in the early twenties can also aid bone growth and counter the risk of fractures later in life. The research, conducted by Mattias Lorentzon, MD, PhD, and colleagues of the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, was published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
“The men who increased or maintained high levels of physical activity also developed larger and thicker bones in their lower arms and legs,” Lorentzon stated. “These findings suggest that maintaining or, ideally, increasing physical activity can improve bone growth in our youth, which probably reduces the risk of fractures later on.”